LID Site Planning and Design Techniques: A Municipal Self-Assessment (Interactive PDF)

Expanded Notes Section: An Optional Addendum to the Self-Assessment (Word Document)

What is the Municipal LID Self-Assessment Tool? (Factsheet)

Where to Find LID In Local Regulations: Cheat Sheet (Factsheet)

Low Impact Development for Your Community: Better Site Design to Conserve Land, Protect Water Quality, and Reduce Development Costs (Factsheet)

Municipal Presentation Template: Use When Gathering Your Team (PPT)

Municipal Presentation Template: Use For Amendment Process Meeting/ Hearing Presentation (PPT) 

Low Impact Development for Your Community: Better Site Design to Conserve Land, Protect Water Quality, and Reduce Development Costs

DEM Conservation Development: A Creative Way to Grow While Preserving Community Character Brochure

Narragansett Research Reserve Coastal Training Program LID Factsheet

Low Impact Solutions for RI Land Developers Factsheet

LID Alternatives for RI Businesses Factsheet

Mass Audubon’s LID/GI Factsheet Series

Rhode Island Stormwater Design and Installation Standards Manual

State of Rhode Island Stormwater Management Guidance for Individual Single-Family Residential Lot Development

Rhode Island Low Impact Development Site Planning and Design Guidance Manual

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Stormwater Program

Green Infrastructure Coalition

Providence Stormwater Innovation Center

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Low Impact Development

Landscaping Standards

Many RI cities and towns have landscaping standards (in Land Development and Subdivision Regulations and elsewhere) that require the use of “sustainable” plants, but the document often referenced – Sustainable Trees and Shrubs for Southern New England – is outdated and no longer available.

Instead, the RI Native Plant Guide (URI 2016) should be used. This is important because native plants thrive with less water and fertilizer, are more resistant to RI pests and diseases, and greatly benefit local wildlife and pollinators.

Going another step further to specifically prohibit the use of invasive or weedy species will go a long way towards keeping local landscapes healthy and low maintenance.

The following example language is suggested for development applications as well as for municipal standard operating procedures:

Plant Materials – Standards

Plant materials shall conform to the requirements described in the latest edition of American Standard for Nursery Stock, published by the American Association of Nurserymen.

Plant materials shall be selected from the digital database RI Native Plant Guide, University of Rhode Island, 2016, or latest amendment, as native plants require less water and no fertilizer once established, are better suited to resist RI pests and diseases, and benefit local wildlife and pollinators. To the maximum extent possible, locally sourced native plants shall be selected, which are adapted to local growing conditions and do not carry pests or non-native seed that may be harbored in soil shipped from other parts of the country.

Use of any invasive or weedy species listed in the 2020 RI Invasive Plant List, or more recent RI Invasive Species Council (RIISC) plant list at https://rinhs.org/invasive-species-portal/invasive-species-lists/ is strictly prohibited.